Spring has arrived at last – and so has another season of family fun in the city.
Regular readers will know we’ve been keeping an eye on kid- and family-friendly fun in Burnaby. The last two columns have rounded up some offerings in Edmonds and Metrotown. This week, I’m venturing into North Burnaby for more choices to keep you and the small people busy and active.
CLIMB ABOARD THE TRAIN
Woo woo! The train whistle will be sounding again soon as the Burnaby Central Railway gets set to open for the season again on Good Friday. The miniature train (including steam, electric and diesel locomotives) chugs around the track at Confederation Park on weekends and statutory holidays from Good Friday through to Thanksgiving Monday. It’s open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it’s $3.50 for a ride (free for kids under three). The train is at 120 North Willingdon Ave. – access from Penzance Drive. Check out www.burnabyrailway.org.
MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER
Staccato Studios (4663 Hastings St.) offers the popular Music Together program for parents and kids from infant up to four years old, introducing music, rhythm and movement to the very youngest among us. There are multiple choices through the week, including weekdays and Saturday times, and the spring session is starting March 29. See www.staccatostudios.com for all the details.
MAKE SPACE FOR ART
If your family is into art, then you are looking in the right neighbourhood.
There’s ArtSpace Children’s Arts Centre, with a variety of visual arts, music, dance and theatre classes for kids of all ages. Spring sessions kick off April 4, with an abundance of offerings throughout the week –ArtSpark for the two- and three-year-olds, drawing for older kids, ukulele lessons, musical theatre classes, dance and more. Check out www.artspaceforchildren.com.
And that’s not all – you can also find kid-friendly hands-on art offerings at 4Cats studio in Capitol Hill. Spring courses are starting up in early April, with a wide variety of options – including“kittens” classes for the tiny twos and threes to manga, mixed media, street art and Artist Focus classes with inspiration from Georgia O’Keeffe and Leonardo da Vinci. See www.4cats.com/capitohill.
VISIT YOUR LIBRARY
Yes, the McGill branch of Burnaby Public Library is in your neighbourhood (4595 Albert St.), and it’s got plenty of books and resources for the family, plus special events and programs galore. Some upcoming highlights include a drop-in movie screening of Inside Out on Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m. (recommended for ages six and up) and Man in the Moon storytimes designed for babies and toddlers with their male caregivers (Saturdays at 10:15 a.m.). There are also regular storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. See www.bpl.bc.ca/events for all the happenings.
CHECK OUT YOUR LOCAL REC CENTRE
North Burnaby folks are blessed with some great options for city-run facilities – and they offer some great choices for small people.
There’s Eileen Dailly pool and fitness centre (240 Willingdon Ave.), which has an abundance of public swim and lesson options for all ages from preschool on up. On the arty front, it also offers a wide range of artistic programs. You can try Family Mixed Media on Fridays starting May 6 or Family Creative Drama on Saturdays starting May 7 (both for ages four and up), or Yoga for Families (ages eight and up) on Sundays starting April 3. There’s also Music and My Baby and Music and My Toddler, starting April 1, Downward Dance for three-year-olds (combining yoga and dance) on Fridays starting April 8 and a host of Creative Ballet offerings for preschoolers.
At Willingdon Community Centre (1491 Carleton Ave.), you can also try out a wide range of programs. There’s Mixed Media, Baby! (ages two and up) starting Saturday, April 30; Toddler’s First Dance on Tuesdays starting April 12; Creative Dance for two- and three-year-olds on Fridays starting April 15, and a variety of Creative Ballet options for preschoolers. Busy Bees sessions combine socializing with musical activities, stories songs and more – that runs Thursdays starting April 7. Or try gardening with Little Green Thumbs, on Tuesdays starting April 5.
But don’t take my word for it – the choices go on and on, so be sure to pick up a spring and summer Leisure Guide and find the offering that’s right for your family. You can pick one up at city facilities or download it from www.burnaby.ca/active.
Do you have an item for Family Ties? If you have ideas from the parenting and family scene to share, email Julie at [email protected], or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
